2008 Woodie Awards
Album Review - Jay-Z: American Gangster
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Arts
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**** out of *****
Believe the hype or the rumors: Jay-Z's American Gangster is a concept album/unofficial soundtrack to Ridley Scott's film of the same name.
The parallels to the movie begin with the intro - numerous definitions of a gangster accompanied by sound clips from the film. From there it flows solidly through 14 tracks, with direct references to the movie (including descriptions of scenes), sounds of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) in the background, and soulful '70s music with each rhyme.
This works because Sean Carter and Frank Lucas are, for all intents and purposes, the same person. Jay-Z's raps are personal, regret-filled, and always self-righteous, which in this case is a good thing.
Critics bashed his first break from retirement (Kingdom Come) for being too soft or more about his wealth and fame than his struggle. With this album, he returns to his roots, filling in gaps about his father, money laundering, and how he feels about the success.
At the same time, he ties the CD and the film together. One track mirrors speeches given by Washington throughout the picture and the last track, "American Gangster," is definitely a closing-credits track - an appropriate ending to the album connecting Jay-Z and Frank Lucas.
Nate's Picks: "Pray," "No Hook," and "Success"
- by Nathan Ley
Believe the hype or the rumors: Jay-Z's American Gangster is a concept album/unofficial soundtrack to Ridley Scott's film of the same name.
The parallels to the movie begin with the intro - numerous definitions of a gangster accompanied by sound clips from the film. From there it flows solidly through 14 tracks, with direct references to the movie (including descriptions of scenes), sounds of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) in the background, and soulful '70s music with each rhyme.
This works because Sean Carter and Frank Lucas are, for all intents and purposes, the same person. Jay-Z's raps are personal, regret-filled, and always self-righteous, which in this case is a good thing.
Critics bashed his first break from retirement (Kingdom Come) for being too soft or more about his wealth and fame than his struggle. With this album, he returns to his roots, filling in gaps about his father, money laundering, and how he feels about the success.
At the same time, he ties the CD and the film together. One track mirrors speeches given by Washington throughout the picture and the last track, "American Gangster," is definitely a closing-credits track - an appropriate ending to the album connecting Jay-Z and Frank Lucas.
Nate's Picks: "Pray," "No Hook," and "Success"
- by Nathan Ley
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